Rep. Grace Butler-Washington

Maddy summaryThis bill would have authorized Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund construction, furnishing, and equipping new housing facilities for Alcorn State University faculty and staff. The bonds, backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi, would have been paid using proceeds from bond sales, with funds restricted solely to the specified housing projects. The bill was referred to the Ways and Means committee but died there on February 26, 2025, and never became law. It directly affected Alcorn State University employees by enabling new housing infrastructure, but did not create new policy or impact broader public housing programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1676 authorizes the State of Mississippi to issue general obligation bonds specifically to fund repairs, renovations, reconstruction, and restoration of the Poultry Sciences Academic Research Center (PSARC) at Alcorn State University. The bonds would be sold by the State Bond Commission, with proceeds restricted solely to this facility's costs, including bond issuance expenses. The state pledges its full credit for repayment, and the funds must be used exclusively for the PSARC project as specified in the bill. This is a procedural bond authorization, not a policy change affecting broader public programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1818 allocated $500,000 from the state general fund to Hinds County's Board of Supervisors to cover costs for removing run-down houses and blighted properties in areas overlapping House District 69 and Supervisor's District 3. The funds were intended for fiscal year 2025-2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026), specifically targeting property removal in those designated areas. The bill was referred to the Appropriations Committee but died there on February 26, 2025, meaning it did not advance further. This was a funding measure, not a policy change, and directly affected Hinds County's efforts to address deteriorated properties in the specified districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1718 would have authorized Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund repairs, renovations, and upgrades at Alcorn State University's David L. Whitney Arena Complex and Wellness Center, as well as infrastructure improvements at the Lorman, Vicksburg, and Natchez campuses. The bonds, backed by the state's full faith and credit, would provide dedicated funding for these specific projects without requiring new annual appropriations. The bill required that all bond proceeds be used exclusively for the named facility improvements and related costs, as specified in the resolution authorizing the bonds. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1657 would exempt children's diapers from Mississippi's sales tax by adding them to the state's list of tax-exempt items. The bill amends Section 27-65-111 of the Mississippi Code to specifically include "sales of children's diapers" under existing tax exemptions, similar to how hospital supplies or medicines are currently treated. This change would directly reduce costs for parents and caregivers purchasing diapers for infants and young children. The key mechanism is a straightforward addition to the tax code, removing sales tax liability on this essential item without altering other tax categories.

Maddy summaryHB 1799 sought to appropriate $100,000 from Mississippi's Capital Expense Fund for repairs and renovations of facilities at Alcorn State University during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill directly affected Alcorn State University by providing funding for campus infrastructure improvements. It included standard procedural language for fund disbursement through the State Treasurer and Fiscal Officer. The bill was referred to the Appropriations Committee but died there on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1792 would have allocated $1 million from the state general fund to Alcorn State University’s Mississippi Small Farm and Agribusiness Center for expanding research and production of shiitake mushrooms during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill specifically funded infrastructure and operations for the center’s mushroom research program, directly affecting Alcorn State University and Mississippi small farms seeking to develop new agricultural opportunities. This appropriation bill, referred to the Appropriations Committee, died there on February 26, 2025, and did not become law. It represented a targeted funding mechanism for agricultural innovation rather than a broad policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1793 proposed allocating $1.5 million from Mississippi's state general fund to Alcorn State University for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to improve its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) campus facilities and academic programs. The bill would have provided direct funding specifically for Alcorn State University's science, technology, math, and medical-related initiatives. It was referred to the Appropriations Committee but died there on February 26, 2025, meaning it did not become law. This was a funding measure, not a policy change, and would have directly benefited Alcorn State University's STEM offerings.

Maddy summaryHB 1816 appropriates $150,000 from the State General Fund to Hinds County's Board of Supervisors for accessibility upgrades at Fire Station No. 14 in Supervisor's District 3. The funds are intended to cover repairs and updates making the station accessible to people with disabilities during fiscal year 2025-2026. The bill, which died in committee on February 26, 2025, specifies that the state treasurer will disburse funds upon proper requisitions. This is a funding measure for physical accessibility improvements, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1786 proposed a $1,000,000 appropriation from the State General Fund to Alcorn State University for the fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The funding was intended to strengthen poultry science research, extension services, and academic programs at the university. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law. This was a procedural funding measure, not a policy change affecting broader public or private entities.